Submersible Pump: Working, Types, Applications, & How To Prime It (2025)

A pump is a device that is used to transfer fluids from one location to other. There are multiple types of pumps that are used in various industries all over the world. A submersible pump is a famous type of pump. It is a type of multistage centrifugal pump. A submersible pump is also known as a well pump. This article explains the submersible pump working, types, and applications.

What is Submersible Pump?

Asubmersible pump is a type of pump that is completely submerged in the water. It works by pushing the water toward the surface instead of pulling it. It has a hermetically sealed motor connected to the pump body that helps to push the fluid toward the surface.

The submersible pumps are most commonly used to pump the water from the wells. This type of pump pushes water toward the surface by changing the rotatory motion (speed) into kinetic energy, and diffuser blades further convert this K.E. into pressure energy.

The significant benefit of this pump is that it can prevent the pump from cavitation—these pumps are known as submersible pumps because they are fully submerged in the water. Therefore, the principal purpose of these pumps is to pump water out of the tanks, wells, or other vessels by submerging into the water or other fluids.

These pumps are also utilized in hot water-heavy oil applications where pressurized liquid from the ground is used to power a hydraulic motor in wells instead of an electric motor.

The submersible pumps don’t require priming because they are completely submerged in the fluid. However, this high-quality pump creates complexity and cannot function properly without problems, so it is never taken out of the water.

These pumps are a good choice in many situations as they prevent cavitation in the pump.

There are many applications of submersible pumps in different industries. For example, single-stage submersible pumps are used for industrial, sewage, and drainage purposes, and multi-stage pumps are preferred for industrial, commercial, municipal, and residential purposes.

How does a Submersible Pump Work?

The working of the submersible pump is a little bit different than a jet pump. Because jet pumps transfer the fluid by pulling it while submersible pumps transfer the fluid by pushing it.

A submersible water pump is a machine that is linked with a completely sealed motor. It is a type of centrifugal pump. Therefore, its working is very similar to other types of centrifugal pumps. Submersible pumps submerge entirely in the water.

During the working of the submersible water pump, it pushes the water toward the surface. As the water from the well or reservoir enters the pump by the foot valve, it strikes the impeller.

An impeller is a rotatory unit that has multiple fixed blades. This impeller is connected to an electric motor through a shaft. The impeller rotates with the rotation of the shaft.

As the water strikes the blades of the impeller, the blades convert the water’s kinetic energy into speed and increase the speed of the water. After passing through the impeller, the water enters the diffuser, which further transforms the speed of the water into pressure energy. In this way, the diffuser increases desired pressure of the water; after that, pressurized water discharges through the outlet valve of the pump.

In this way, submersible pumps push the water toward the surface.

For a better understanding, watch the following video:

Types of Submersible Pumps

Submersible pumps have multiple types that are most commonly used in different tanks and wells. The most famous types of submersible pumps are given below:

1. Deep Well Pump
2. Stainless Steel Pump
3. Bottom Suction Pump
4. Oil Filled Pump
5. Water Cooler Pump
6. Submersible Utility Pump
7. Mixed and Axial Flow Pump
8. Crompton Submersible Pump

1) Deep Well Submersible Water Pump

A deep well pump is one of the most famous types of the submersible pump. It is used to pump water from the well to your home or desired area. This pump fully immerses in the well water. Because it uses in a well, therefore it is known as a “submersible well pump“.

A deep well pump can also use for municipal purposes. An electric motor is coupled with the body of these pumps that also works underwater. Once these pumps start working, they must be completely submerged in the water. As a result, these pumps can often pump fresh or weakly acidic water.

2) Stainless Steel Pump

These pumps provide better performance than cast iron pumps. This type of pump is completely covered with stainless steel due to that it is known as stainless steel pump. The entire pump completely submerses in the water while working.

It has a high acidic resistance. This type of pump often moves hot or slightly acidic water. Water sources such as well may also protect by their unique molds, and freshwater can also transfer frequently.

3) Bottom Suction Pump

These types of submersible pumps are usually used in rivers, mining, dewatering, swimming pools, and lakes. They are equipped with a guide sleeve under the pump.

The bottom suction submersible water pump sucks water from the bottom of the well and effectively ensures the high-quality cooling function of the motor.

These are emergency and expedition pumps. These pumps have an easy installation than other types of pumps. The bottom suction pump has a high head.

4) Oil Filled Pump

The oil pump contains an electric motor that is submerged in oil. These pumps are widely utilized to supply water to mountain areas, drainage systems, service water, water lifting in well, irrigation of farmland, hills, houses water supply, etc.

In this pump, an oil injection is required to cool the heated motor. Since the oil does not freeze, therefore, it can also use in cool places.

These types of submersible pumps are very easy to install and restore. They deliver clean water to a river, pool, or lake.

5) Water Cooler Submersible Well Pump

Submersible water cooler pumps are commonly utilized in industrial areas, residential water, agricultural land irrigation, and other applications. Like the oil-filled pump, it can also be worked underwater.

The motor of this pump can also be set underwater for operation. Freshwater can be injected to cool the electric motor.

These types of pumps are suitable for places where high-quality water is needed.

6) Mixed and Axial flow Pumps

This pump is widely used in drainage, water solidification pumping stations, sewage drainage, river drainage, sewage treatment, and overflow control. Non-clog and massive flow properties improve the performance of this pump. In addition, the triple sealing system can extend the life of the pipeline by preventing it from leakage.

7) Submersible Utility Pump

A submersible utility pump is a multifunctional and multi-purpose pump. They are employed to remove aquarium drainage and problematic stagnant water from residences and outdoor areas.

These pumps are very famous due to their excellent features. The submersible utility water pump can fully submerge in water for long periods of time to use in larger applications. It offers automatic and manual settings. It has just 9 pounds weight.

A submersible utility pump is made of cast aluminum. Also, it is a portable pump. The molded housing of the pump is free from rust or corrosion. It can pump up to 27 GPM capacity.

Autility pumpmay also eliminate standing water from the flooded basement or yard. In contrast,Sump pumpseliminate water that gathers around your home’s foundation.

8) Crompton Submersible Pump

Crompton submersible pump is made of cast iron. It has a single impeller. This type of pump can control solids up to 30mm. Its cable hood is made of stainless steel.

Mostly, these pumps use for paper mills, sugar industries, wastewater treatment plants, under-construction buildings, swimming pools, hotels, and restaurants.

Read More: Reciprocating Pump Working and Types

How to Prime a Submersible Pump?

A submersible well pump moves the water in well systems. These pumps work according to the combined working principle of injector pumps and centrifugal pumps then transfer the well’s water.

Priming is a significant factor in the proper working of a deep well pump. If your submersible well pump is not priming, then follow the following steps to prime it:

• Firstly, turn off your pump and detach it from the electrical switches.
• Make a proper inspection of the connectors and pump for cracking or damage.
• Remove the plastic or rubber prime plug from your pump’s top side. After this, insert a water pipe into the exposed hole on the pump’s top.
• Transfer water into the housing of the pump through a water pipe or tube. Let the pipe or tube move water inside the housing until water starts flowing out of the pump’s housing due to the housing fill.
• Now, remove the water pipe and partly insert the prime plug inside the hole located on the pump’s top. Turn ON the pump system until no air bubbles arise from the plug base.
• If air bubbles are coming out of the pump, again eliminate the prime plug and fill the housing of the pump. After repeating the above-discussed steps, insert the prime plug again partially in the hole and Turn ON the pump until the air bubbles stop.
• Repeat the whole process again and again until water starts flowing out of the pump instead of air. After this, insert the prime plug fully into the pump hole.
• Repeat the above process as needed.

Components of Submersible Pump

A submersible pump has the following components:

1. Safety Rope
2. Clamps
3. Check Valve
4. Submersible Pump
5. Pump cable
6. Safety Rope
7. Pressure Gauges
8. Pressure Switch
9. Torque Arrestor
10. Tank Tees
11. Flow Control Valves
12. Sediment Filter
13. Ball Valves
14. Drain Valves
15. Relief Valves
16. Impeller
17. Inlet and Outlet Valve

1) Submersible Water Pump

This component of the pump completely immerses in the water that uses to push the water toward the surface. It works very efficiently. It has a self-priming capability.

2) Check Valve

The check valve is a famous type of valve. It is used to stop the backflow of the fluid inside the pump. It is also known as a non-return valve.

The location and number of check valves needed for the pump depend on the depth of the well pump configuration. Installations under 200ft require a check valve on the surface of the wellbore and a check valve on the pump exit.

If you set the position deeper, then you will need more check valves. The following are some factors that you should consider for the installation of a check valve:

• Hose
• Volume of water
• Weight of the submersible well pump
• Pressure drops of the valve
• Friction loss of the hose
• The velocity of the water.

3) Clamps

The pipe clamp is used to seal the poly pipe against a barbed insert fitting to make a reliable pull-off connection and watertight seal. All 300-grade stainless steel clamps allow clamps to ensure the pump’s life during the installation of the well or when the highest corrosion resistance is needed.

4) Safety Rope

In your submersible water pump, you can see that the safety rope directly connects to the pump and locates on the wellhead. The main function of the safety rope is to stop the pipe from separating, which can lead to pump loss in the well base.

In the event of a riser pipe failure, the safety rope also provides a backup so that the installer can pull the pump out of the borehole. Before each pump is hung in the well, it must be secured with a safety rope.

5) Pump Cable

The pump cables use to transfer the electricity to the pump. Mostly the submersible pumps use cables that have 2 or 3 wires.

6) Cable Ties

These utilize to efficiently secure the pump cable’s riser between the cable guards. In addition, some cables require zip ties to be attached to the riser that is no more than 10 feet apart.

7) Pressure Switches

The pressure switch regulates the operation of the submersible water pump. It has a built-in membrane that moves forward and backward to exchange the pressure of the water system.

Pressure switches are available in heavy-duty, medium, and standard models to control a large variety of pressure and electrical ratings.

8) Pressure Gauge

With pressure gauges, you can easily monitor the operational status of your pump. You can also view the ON and OFF settings of your pump switch by the pressure gauge. These gauges are located in the accessory parts that point up to the T-head of the water tank.

9) Impeller

This is a rotating component of the pump. It has multiple fixed blades. It converts the K.E. of the water into speed.

10) Inlet and Outlet Valves

The Inlet valve uses to suck the water inside the pump while the outlet valve uses to discharge the water from the pump.

Advantages of Submersible Pump

• This pump prevents cavitation problems.
• There is no need for manual priming because it submerges in water and gets priming from there.
• The cable of the submersible water well pump can be used in both fresh water and saltwater.
• It has high efficiency than other types.
• It saves a large part of energy because it sucks the water inside itself by using water pressure.
• A submersible water pump can control both liquids and solids
• It has quiet working
• These pumps are more efficient than jet pumps.
• Submersible pumps transfer fluids by pushing them, while jet pumps transfer fluids by pulling them.
• This pump can save a large amount of energy.
• It can also work by completely submerging in the water
• It has no cavitation problems.
• This type of pump has sufficient internal pressure to pump the water

Disadvantages of Submersible Pumps

• If the pump seal drops its integrity, it can create a pump leakage issue and eventually damage internal components.
• Lack of water can lead to motor overheating.
• The pump is submerged, so the pump failure can’t be found quickly.
• If the pump is not completely submerged, it may cause significant damage.
• Compared to non-submersible pumps, submersible pumps have a high cost.
• The pump seal deteriorates with time.
• Different applications require different types of pumps, and one pump cannot serve all applications.
• The pump motor needs high care; otherwise, it will overheat.
• The submersible water pump is hermetically sealed, which rusts over time. Therefore, water can enter the motor and damage its parts.
• These pumps are hard to repair due to their submersible property.
• This type of pump has a high price because of its mechanical properties
• It can’t use for all types of applications.
• It has complicated maintenance.

Applications of Submersible Pumps

• Submersible pumps are most commonly used for dewatering, oil production, drinking water supply, and irrigation applications.
• These pumps work in wells, drains, and wet wells.
• This pump can also be used in plants and pools. Pools usually use submersible water pumps to pump sewage that enters homes and other buildings, building lots, and sewers.

FAQ Section

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